About Ann M Streetman:
A degree in journalism and a lifelong communications career introduced me to wonderful people and projects in public affairs, public relations, and association management. But that is behind me.
Now I write romance, a non-fiction book now and then, and children’s books which I illustrate with my own photos and graphics.
Since I am a stickler for accuracy, I do many hours of research into the places and times of my fictional characters.
They are flawed people, oftentimes challenged by difficult circumstances in their lives. Redemption and forgiveness are recurring themes in my novels.
I hope you’ll come along to enjoy the twists and turns in the lives of my characters as they find their way.

What inspires you to write?
My life experiences which include interaction with people and places I have lived and visited inspire me to write. Because my experiences are not exactly like any other person's, these are stories only I can imagine and tell.

Tell us about your writing process.
I am not a "seat of the pants" writer. I develop an outline that changes as the story develops. Because I use both a PC desktop and Apple tablets to outline and write, I use OneNote because it works on all my devices. I can make a quick note on a chapter synopsis on any of my most used devices, which are everywhere in my house.

I do not write every day. After I finish a book, I usually don't start another one right away. I do all those things I did not do when I was pressing hard on that book. When I am in a book process, I like to write at least 1,000 words a day. I have often written 2,000 words a day, and on rare occasions 3,000 to 4,000 words a day. When I start a fresh writing session, I read and edit the previous day's work.

How do you develop your characters?
I create the main characters before I do any plotting. I put on paper when they were growing up, what they were doing in high school and college, and what real world events might have had an impact on their lives. I don't fully know the characters until they start interacting with each other. On my happiest writing days, the characters take over and do things that I had not planned. That's when I know my book is worth my efforts and may be worth a reader's time and imagination in making the story come alive.

Who are your favorite authors?
When I was much younger, I read a lot of Danielle Steel. I love Walter Isaacson biographies and action writers including Vince Flynn.

Stella McBride realizes that she made a horrible mistake when she divorced her husband Paul to marry another man. Now a free woman, more than anything she wants another chance with the man she truly loves. But Paul doesn’t want to have anything to do with her.

Paul was devastated when Stella divorced him. If it hadn’t been for their children, he might not have survived. There’s no way he’ll ever let her back in his life again. The next time he might not survive because he is still deeply in love with Stella.

The three blissfully happy McBride children want the same for their divorced parents who have both made painful mistakes, but who are still head over heels for each other. The McBride brothers and sister–with a little help–devise a plan to get their parents back together. With Mother’s Day a few weeks away, it just might be the perfect time for Paul and Stella to realize that their love is worth fighting for.

Shane MacKinnon used to be rich. She used to be privileged. She used to be somebody else.

Five years ago, hounded by scandal and haunted by a shameful secret, the beautiful, wealthy Shannon Malone fled Manhattan for the mountains of New Mexico and took on a new identity, a new life.

Then one morning a sinister whisper on the phone that seems to come from beyond the grave begins to unravel her new life.Someone is convinced she has the missing millions from her stepfather’s massive investment scam. Someone who also has another, far more sinister reason to come after her.

Shane’s new neighbor Matt Brennan, an architect fleeing the empty glitter of L.A., likes what he sees, but he’s wary. He suspects she’s not who she says she is, and something in her past has left her with crippling sexual inhibitions. In spite of everything, he can’t resist her, and he falls hard and fast.

At first resentful of his intrusion on her solitude, Shane learns to trust Matt enough to tell him the truth, about everything. When they finally fall, the release of Shane’s defenses ignites a passion so fierce it stuns them both.

When the shadows of Shane’s past turn real and dangerous, Matt vows to keep her safe at all costs. And she’ll do anything to protect the man she loves from the twisted killer who will stop at nothing to finish his deadly game.

Targeted Age Group: Adults

How is Writing In Your Genre Different from Others?
Romantic suspense takes readers on a roller-coaster ride, filled with highs and lows, thrills and chills, tears and maybe even some laughter. It’s as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!

What Advice Would You Give Aspiring Writers?
READ! Read as many good books as you can, especially in the genre you want to write in. There’s a lot to learn from masters of the genre, and you have to write a whole lot of words before you get good at it. Don’t just coble something together and throw it out there. Find great beta readers (I call mine “first readers” and tell them to be brutally honest with you (in a kind way). What works? What doesn’t? Give them a questionnaire covering the points you most want help with. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, as many times as it take to get your novel as close to perfection as you can make it.
My final word? Real writers NEVER NEVER EVER GIVE UP!

Author Bio:
A traditionally published author of nonfiction (“Long Island Wine Country: Award-Winning Vineyards of the North Fork and the Hamptons”), Ms. Starwood has turned to her real love, writing romantic thrillers. Her debut novel, “Shattered Blue,” is receiving rave reviews from book bloggers and Amazon readers alike.

From InD’Tale Magazine: “This is quite the impressive and entertaining debut novel! The book contains a good solid plot line, an entertaining and believable story, and a realistic romance. There were a couple of nice little twists to the story to keep the reader on their toes.”

Ms. Starwood lives with her husband on the North Fork Long Island, in a modest cottage on one of the region’s many tidal creeks. She’s hard at work on her next romantic thriller, the first in a planned series.

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I’ve always loved romantic suspense novels, so when I wanted to write a novel of my own, naturally that’s the genre I chose. I love plotting and writing thrilling romances with heroes and heroines readers love to love and villains they love to hate!